Shloka 82
Hiḍimba’s Approach and Hiḍimbā’s Warning to Bhīmasena (हिडिम्बागमनम् / हिडिम्बा-भयवचनम्)
भीतवत् संविधातव्यं यावद् भयमनागतम् । आगतं तु भयं दृष्टवा प्रहर्तव्यमभीतवत्,जबतक अपने ऊपर भय आया न हो, तबतक डरे हुएकी भाँति उसको टालनेका प्रयत्न करना चाहिये; परंतु जब भयको सामने आया देखे, तब निडर होकर शत्रुपर प्रहार करना चाहिये
bhītavat saṃvidhātavyaṃ yāvad bhayam anāgatam | āgataṃ tu bhayaṃ dṛṣṭvā prahartavyam abhītavat ||
Sinabi ni Kaṇika: “Hangga’t hindi pa dumarating ang panganib, kumilos na tila natatakot—mag-ingat at magsikap na maiwasan ito. Ngunit kapag nakita mong dumating na ang panganib, saka salakayin ang kaaway nang walang takot.”
कणिक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a two-stage ethic of action: before a threat fully manifests, behave with caution and preventive planning; once the threat is present and unavoidable, abandon hesitation and respond decisively and fearlessly.
Kaṇika is giving counsel in a political-ethical register (nīti), outlining how a ruler or agent should handle looming versus immediate danger—first by prudent avoidance and preparation, then by bold action when confrontation becomes necessary.